Life - The Ultimate Game (Blog)

[Steve Pavlina]

Use this thread to discuss the following entry from Steve Pavlina's blog:

Life - The Ultimate Game

[geekchic9]

That was an excellent article. I always thought life was a game--a game I ought to win, every time. Needless to say, this led to some very boring games, as I was afraid to tackle things that were more challenging.

Now, after reading the article, I realize that life is supposed to be fun and challenging. It won't be fun and challenging all the time, but if I'm not doing something I enjoy or something that will challenge me, it doesn't seem like a worthwhile game. No wonder why I feel depressed so often. I am a noob at the game of life.

Thanks, Steve, for teaching me a lesson.

[Calculusaurus]

For example, if I experience a financial setback, it’s not a big deal because money is nothing but a game world resource. It’s just game gold, something that can always be replenished with hard work and creativity. And figuring out how to earn more gold is a fun challenge, full of compelling choices.

I feel silly saying this, but when I played MMORPGs I took upon this exact attitude. In Lineage 2, it is very, very hard to make money, and you need a ton of it if you want to be any good. Well, I was one of the few who managed to come by money a lot easier than most people. This is because whenever I'd experience an in-game financial setback, I'd simply find a new, more creative source of income.

I would spend spend spend, but always with the idea that I could always find some way to make it back -- somehow... eventually; the details didn't matter. But my mind was always focused on making money. It was a challenge that I loved to overcome.

What's funny is that the conservative spenders in the game were the worst at making money. They did what they *thought* was the best way to be rich -- be conservative -- but they always had the most typical, mundane ways of generating income, and as a result, were never very rich.

It's amazing that we're so scared to take that mindset into the real world. When you think about it, there shouldn't be any reason not to.

[Jill]

In many ways I do think life is a game.

My husband had this theory once that perhaps before we come into this life, we are basically somewhere else (heaven?) where it's just this this big arcade. We say, hey...let's play the "Earth Game" (or whatver). Then you pick your difficulty level, put your quarters in and VROOOOOM...transported into some woman's womb.

Why not?

And it would explain why some people's lives are more difficult than others. Perhaps they chose "expert" mode?

(I musta chose "easy" mode or something...although I'm scared to say that!)

[richie]

hey anyone ,please tell me where can i get the cheat codes of this biggest game :life
excellent post steve

[Acting Like Godot]

Originally Posted by Jill

In many ways I do think life is a game.

My husband had this theory once that perhaps before we come into this life, we are basically somewhere else (heaven?) where it's just this this big arcade. We say, hey...let's play the "Earth Game" (or whatver). Then you pick your difficulty level, put your quarters in and VROOOOOM...transported into some woman's womb.

Guess what? Your husband would be right. Kind of.

You can read Dr Brian Weiss's books on past life regression hypnosis. Where he takes patients not just to their past lives, but to their past deaths ... and what happens shortly after those deaths.

I shall not tell you more. Don't wanna spoil the fun for you. Go get those books.

[Frans]

If you find yourself in a human body, you came here to play the game of human life. Don’t sit on the sidelines whining like a noob. The truth is that if you lose all your gold, if your teammates dump you, or if your character gets infected by the plague, it’s all part of the game. Every setback initiates another round of compelling choices. The game isn’t supposed to be fair — it’s supposed to be fun and interesting. Whether or not you have a fun and interesting experience largely depends on what kind of player you are.

Well written, but you can only write this when you're in a state where everything goes the way you like it.

You'll only know for yourself what kind of player you are when the time comes that you "lose all your gold", "your teammates dump you", or "your character gets infected by the plague".

[Paul C]

I've had this idea in the past as well, but was never game enough to apply it completely to my life situation. But that was then and this is now.

Being a ex-roleplayer myself, I can understand quite well the comparison between certain mindsets that people adopt when playing a game, especially when resources and character levels are involved.

And yes, it's very ironic how many of us can put so much effort into a virtual avatar, but not allowing our living one the same oppourtunity of growth (hopefully not by killing and looting small critters ).


I feel my perspective of the world has experienced some more positive change, thank you.

Originally Posted by Jill

In many ways I do think life is a game.

My husband had this theory once that perhaps before we come into this life, we are basically somewhere else (heaven?) where it's just this this big arcade. We say, hey...let's play the "Earth Game" (or whatver). Then you pick your difficulty level, put your quarters in and VROOOOOM...transported into some woman's womb.

Why not?

I really don't see why not, either. Biggest and greatest RPG of all!

[Akashic_Librarian]

Steve you've done it again, A question though.

What is the next level for you?

[Markus74]

Hey, for once I agree! I consider Life a game as well. Although not necessarily a fair one for everyone.

But I'll complain about this to the game master, should 'he' exist, when I see 'him'.

[stephencp]

Steve,
Great post. My thoughts:
#1 Too many people are concerned about "winning", or "not losing" thier game(s). Competition in life, and games, doesn't really make it more fun, cooperation does. Cooperating in order to "win" is a poor substitute for cooperating to have fun helping others.
#2 From an enlightenment perspective, it is indeed all the sounds, tastes, smells, color and feelings of our personal game that keeps us from experiencing what is really true.

Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics

[subaru]

I must agree with this vision of life myself.

Till now I have played always saved, I always want to control situations, but now I'm starting to see that by this way you loose a lot more than what you win.

For everyone I recommand one song: author, Roni Size; album, In the Mode; song, Play the Game.

Jorge

[Jill]

Maybe the question we should be asking is "who's in control of the joystick?"

[babuji]

Since most games give you multiple lives in order to reach the end goal.. this can be viewed in the same manner as we look at reincarnation.

I came across a well written story some time ago which I was able to dig up, relating our life to video games:

Hinduism and Video Games

The story is geared towards the basic principles of Reincarnation, Karma, and Spirit in a Hindu sense, but I think it applies well to everyone and not just Hindus.

Enjoy

[helgi]

Great article, and another synchronistic experience: whenever I am pondering something, often a very specific idea, I happen to then come across a chapter in a book or an article on Steve's blog that takes this very idea and expands it, almost as if to confirm it to me. To a point where I'm not even all that surprised anymore.

I was thinking about the videogame analogy today, not only as a fleeting thought; it's been floating around in my mind all day, and here is something I wrote earlier (before coming across the article):

... you will feel as if you were observing the body from above it, but at the same time you are also observing it from deep within it. When you meet people, go about your daily life and operate in the world, you are playing the world’s most interesting videogame, sitting in your inner living room and navigating your character through the environment. Being an observer of your sense perceptions instead of being lost in them.

[Erki]

I mostly agree that life is a game, but in role playing games, everyone starts from zero, no-one has some advantages before the game really begins.

But I guess this just adds more challenge.

[Reyv]

I've started another thread about this, here:
Building the Ultimate Character in the Game of Life

[Michael Chui]

In a way, it's an extremely painful analogy, beause a lot of games today have so much falsehood in them. Like this idea of levels. But I agree with the general analogy.

However, you guys might enjoy this: RavenBlack - Novel Samples There are four chapters available free; I haven't read it in full, but the premise is... amusing, to say the absolute least.

[Keith]

Originally Posted by Michael Chui

In a way, it's an extremely painful analogy, beause a lot of games today have so much falsehood in them. Like this idea of levels. But I agree with the general analogy.

I've always been fond of the (pen and paper) RPG "GURPS" for that reason ; no 'levels' - just "character points" to spend wherever you want.

That's a really good observation about what type of game you think of life as, matters.

[placebo]

There is no save game option in life. We can't go back to the time when everything was fine cause time is not waiting for anyone. And that is making everything much more difficult than it should be

[MichaelRGaudet]

Hi Steve. I really enjoyed your blog entry. I agree that a healthy attitude is to think of life as a game. When I am approaching a very challenging situation, I make a conscious effort to think of it as an 'experiment', rather than engaging on a strictly personal level. I try to make calm observations and then draw my conclusions accordingly. This way, when things go differently than what was hoped for ( as they usually do) you are not disappointed...you are simply armed with bonus points of information based on the fresh new input.

Hope this doesn't sound too detached. I just find that this approach makes one more immune to discouragement. This in and of itself is quite challenging to do, because I am always tempted to let my emotions rule my response.

So I get a double benifit out of this approach, when I can pull it off. Healthier state of mind and a feeling of mastery over the oh-so-volitile emotional body.

My favorite quote from your article is:

"Your current level of engagement with life depends on how you evaluate yourself relative to the game of life. Are you bigger than the game, or is the game bigger than you?"

Thanks for this forum. I like it a lot.

[Steve Pavlina]

One interesting idea you can try is to decide what kind of game you're playing -- RPG, puzzle, action, adventure, racing, etc. You're the game architect if you want to be.

[tekart]

Originally Posted by stephencp

Steve,
Great post. My thoughts:
...
#2 From an enlightenment perspective, it is indeed all the sounds, tastes, smells, color and feelings of our personal game that keeps us from experiencing what is really true.

Stephen
Power-Book Library: Free personal development, success, inspiration and motivational classics

From an enlightenment point of view, this keeps coming up for me. These games and 'things' we make important in our lives might actually be keeping us from seeing the real truth. The 'Game' may actually be that it is not the game we think it is.
See this thread for more: Spiritual Enlightenment...

Of course the game idea may make sense for some, but what if you don't like games. I don't like them and I don't want to like them. So if it is a game, what do those who do not like games do? Well, I guess we make it what we want it to be right? So now what is it? Hmmmm, it is not real. It is an illusion. A mental fabrication?

[Steve Pavlina]

The game framework is simply one of many tools we can use to engage life with less fear. People who are very fearful in their approach to life may find it easier to be fearless in a game world. People who are financially broke may find it easier to accumulate wealth with game gold. I also know people who've turned game relationships in MMORPGs into real-world relationships.

The analogy has its limits of course, but personally I find it helpful for keeping things in perspective, such that I feel empowered to take action rather than overwhelmed by circumstances.

[Dave Kaminski]

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

One interesting idea you can try is to decide what kind of game you're playing -- RPG, puzzle, action, adventure, racing, etc. You're the game architect if you want to be.

I find this to be one of the best articles you've written so far, comprehensively anyways. I've passed it on to a bunch of people because it's very easy to identify with, at least in my 'circle of friends.'

It's also helped me lighten up a bit in terms of purpose and such, realizing that I shouldn't care so much what other people think as long as I'm working towards helping others and being happy. (re: career & relationship choices as well as free time choices)

It made me take up skateboarding again, and I realized how great of exercise it is too! I know it doesn't seem like a life sport, but if I don't push myself to outrageous limits I'm sure it can be!

Originally Posted by Steve Pavlina

The analogy has its limits of course, but personally I find it helpful for keeping things in perspective, such that I feel empowered to take action rather than overwhelmed by circumstances.

What limits do you see? Please enlighten me so I don't get a headache trying to think about limitations!

[Steve Pavlina]

The limit of the game analogy is that if you take it too far, you can become apathetic. I.e. what does life matter if it's only a game? Who cares if I hurt someone if it's only a game character?

[Mello]

I like the approach Steve pointed out, the type of game is the kind you want it to be. I think this way you can almost see different things light up that are important to you in the game you choose. Say you choose adventure, a discounted flight to some foreign country will attract your attention way quicker than it would've if you were playing a racing game, but in that game you probably would've noticed the win a formula 1 testdrive contest easier

I'm gonna think of a type of game that will fit my views best, and if it's a Mario Bros. game I won't be afraid to start eating mushrooms, grow a tail and jump on tortoises

[helgi]

Spiritual teachings talk about detachment from the world, to be in the world but not of it etc., and for me the value of this game analogy is that it allows me to understand better the nature of detachment, without confusing it with inaction or disengagement from the world.

It's also a very powerful way of disidentifying from ego -- you then identify with your body and your personal history etc. only on a surface level, playing the game while still being very aware that the game character is not who you really are.

[Phi]

I believe we need some way of measuring our level in the game called life.

One thing that is so compelling with games is that everything is measured and that you can always see how you are doing.

In real life we can only measure our money and maybe that's why it ends up being the only goal for far to many people.

Imagine how it would be if we could also measure how we are doing in relation to other people, etc.

[Frans]

Originally Posted by Phi

I believe we need some way of measuring our level in the game called life.

One thing that is so compelling with games is that everything is measured and that you can always see how you are doing.

Nature provides us with a great tool to measure our success: happiness.

Level 0 = total misery
Level 10 = total happiness